In this episode, Curt and Kevin take a break from superhuman battles of good and evil to discuss a harrowing look at a very human form of evil, and one young man's unsuccessful struggle against the darkness within: Derf Backderf's graphic novel memoir My Friend Dahmer, published by Abrams ComicArts.

In recounting his experiences and relationship with Jeffrey Dahmer through high school in the 1970s, Backderf sketches a chilling portrait of a troubled loner, neglected at home and largely ignored at school. Could his murders have been avoided if even one adult had recognized the warning signs in his increasingly erratic behavior?

Working from his own recollections, research and interviews with teachers and fellow classmates, Backderf shows us the demons that tormented Jeffrey Dahmer, setting him on a seemingly inevitable path to infamy as one of history's more notorious serial killers.

Things Discussed in This Episode:

• The My Friend Dahmer movie
• The City
• Trashed
• Jeffrey Dahmer as a tragic figure … until he's not
• An argument for end notes
• Black Hole by Charles Burns
• Punk Rock and Trailer Parks

Join us in two weeks as #Ragnaroktober kicks into gear with a discussion of Planet Hulk!

Until then, please rate us on iTunes, send us an email, or hit us up on Twitter or Facebook, and we may read your comments in an upcoming episode. And as always, thanks for listening!